SIGIRIYA

Location	Central province
Elevation	349 m
Built for	King Kashyapa of Sri Lanka
Visitors	1 million

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fotress located in the northern Matale        District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka.  It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that  dominatedby a massive column of granite approximately 180 m . 

Sigiriya mirror wall

 The Mirror Wall is a plastered brick parapet wall with a two-meter-wide inner passageway. The outermost section of this passageway is built up to create a protective wall. It is believed that the inner surface of this wall had a mirror-like sheen which was achieved by using a special plaster made of fine lime, egg whites, and honey. The surface l was then buffed to a brilliant luster with beeswax. Its luster is still visible today.

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Lion's paws  -  These are the most recognizable feature of  Sigiriya. It is located at the summit of the lion mouth.

Sigiriya water gardens and fountains

Symmetrical Design: The water gardens are a complex masterpiece of irrigation engineering. They consist of pools, fountains, and lawns arranged symmetrically. A main pathway divides a central pool into four sections, with an island at the center. 

Sigiriya as the UNESCO heritage site                                     

On 17th December 1982, after assessing the aforementioned outstanding values in Sigiriya, the World heritage committee decided to inscribe the site a World Heritage Site under Criterion II, III, and IV of the operational Guidelines.

  

  

          

    POLLONNARUWA  GAL  VIHARAYA

 Where is Gal Viharaya situated ? 

The Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharaya, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Constructed in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu I, it features four remarkable rock relief statues of the Buddha carved into a large granite gneiss rock. These sculptures include a large seated figure, a smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, a standing figure, and a reclining figure.

What is the importance of Gal Viharaya ?

Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharaya, holds deep spiritual significance for Buddhists. It’s a place for meditation, reflection, and paying homage to the Buddha.

 

Conclusion

Just think about how our ancestors create these statues very keenly through heavy rocks and think about how they try to get those facial expressions fom those havy stones.

  

                               DAMBULLA   TEMPLE

About Dambulla Cave

The Dambulla Cave Temple, often known as the Royal Rock Temple, is a cave temple complex in the centre of Sri Lanka. It is made up of series of 5 caves instilled with over 20 centuries of history and imbued with religious significance. The temple contains a wealth of Buddhist art, including numerous statues and murals of Buddha

      

History of Dambulla Cave

In the 1st century AD, the caves began to be transformed into shrines, which continued into the 18th century. Most of the building work was carried out during the Anuradhapura .

During the 18th century, the temples were restored and painted by the Kingdom of Kandy. These paintings cover the the rock ceilings, which are decorated with intricate religious images which follow the contours of the rock.

In 1938, the architecture was embellished with gabled entrances and arched colonnades.

There are over 80 documented caves in the surrounding area; however, major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. The largest and grandest of the caves is the second one, known as Maharaja Vihara.

   

Conclusion 

Today, the Dambulla cave monastery is still functional, and remains best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. 

                            

                              AVUKANA  STATUE

The Avukana Buddha statue stands near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. Carved during the 5th century, this magnificent stone sculpture depicts the Buddha with a hand raised in reassurance—a variation of the Abhaya mudra.

Archeological Significance

       The Avukana Buddha carving, positioned atop a lotus flower pedestal, stands at an impressive height of 46 feet. From head to toe, the statue measures 38 feet and 10 inches. The head alone reaches a height of 6 feet and 6 inches, while the foot spans a width of 6 feet and 1 inch. Crafted almost entirely in the round from a single square boulder of similar height, the statue remains remarkably well-preserved. It is delicately attached to the original rock behind it by a narrow strip at the waist. Facing directly eastward, the statue looks on towards the majestic Kalawewa Reservoir (Wijesekera,1962).

The face of the statue is oval-shaped, although the Buddha statues of this era depict round faces. The face typifies deep feeling and is serene. The ripples of the robe, though featuring the Amaravati style, show more finesse and simplicity. Although it is said that this image is in the Abhaya mudra the right hand is placed in a different position. For the Abhaya mudra, the palm of the right hand must face forward with the fingers slightly bent. This feature is seen in the Ras Vehera statue. In the Avukana statue, the palm is raised and the fingers are held straight. Thus some say it is the Ashir-mudra. 

Conclusion

This is also one of the marvelous creation  of our ancient king and ancestors. We hould appreciate those of  creations which  give us proud.

                     

                                 SRI MAHA BODHI

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Bo tree located in the Mahamewna Gardens of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It holds immense religious and historical significance.

1. Origin and Significance:

• The tree is believed to have grown from a cutting of the southern branch of the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.
• The Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) attained enlightenment.
• In 236 BC, the Buddhist nun Sangamitta Maha Theri, daughter of Indian Emperor Ashoka, brought the tree cutting to Sri Lanka during the reign of Sinhalese King Devanampiya Tissa.
• It is considered the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date, surpassing 2,300 years of age.
  
  
  

2. History and Vandalism:

   • The tree has a recorded history dating back to Lord Gautama Buddha’s time.
   • It endured acts of vandalism, including a terrorist attack by the LTTE in 1985, where around 146 pilgrims were massacred.
     
     
     

                             THUPARAMA STUPA

                             

       Thuparama Temple was the first stupa in Si Lanka.

Constructions and Significance

• Built: Thuparamaya is believed to be the first Buddhist dagoba constructed in Sri Lanka.
• Date: It dates back to the 3rd century BCE during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.
• Purpose: The stupa was built to enshrine the right collarbone relic of Buddha, brought by Mahinda Thero, who introduced Buddhism to the island.
• Blessed Site: According to the Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka), Buddha himself blessed this location during his third visit to Kelaniya in Sri Lanka.
• Sacred Ranking: Thuparamaya is one of the Solosmasthana (Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites) and an Atamasthana .

Architectural Features

  

  

• Stupa: The stupa was initially built in the form of a paddy heap (Dhanyakara).
• Vatadage: King Vashaba later added a unique architectural feature called the Vatadage (also known as Stupaghara or Stupa House). It completely housed the stupa and had a roof supported by concentric circles of decorated stone pillars.

 

                               JETHAWANARAMAYA

Located in the historic city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, the Jethawanaramaya is a remarkable architectural masterpiece that stands as a testament to the grandeur and sophistication of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. This colossal stupa, constructed during the reign of King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD, is not only a revered Buddhist site but also an engineering marvel. With its rich history and awe-inspiring presence, the Jethawanaramaya continues to captivate visitors from around the world.

Historical Marvel

The Jethawanaramaya holds great historical significance as one of the largest brick structures in the world and a significant landmark in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. This sacred site was built to enshrine the relics of Gautama Buddha and served as a place of veneration for Buddhist pilgrims. The stupa was initially constructed to a height of approximately 400 feet (122 meters), making it the third tallest monument of its time.

Architectural Splendours

The Jethawanaramaya is a testament to the architectural brilliance of ancient Sri Lanka. Constructed entirely out of bricks, it boasts a unique design characterized by concentric rings and intricate carvings. The stupa was adorned with lavish decorations, including statues of deities, elephants, and lions, which have unfortunately been eroded over time.

Conclusion

 

The sheer magnitude of the structure, coupled with its aesthetically pleasing design, reflects the architectural prowess of the ancient Sri Lankan civilization.

                   

                                  SOMAWATHI STUPA

The Somawathiya Chaitya is a significant Buddhist stupa in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It is considered one of the country's most sacred sites and attracts numerous visitors annually. The stupa is believed to have been built more than 2000 years ago and is named after Princess Somawathi, the sister of King Kavantissa and the wife of the regional ruler Prince Giri Abhaya.

Historical Significance

The stupa is believed to have been built during the reign of King Kavantissa, who ruled Magama before the time of Dutugemunu. It is said to enshrine the right canine tooth relic of the Buddha, one of the four most sacred relics for Buddhists. As a result, the stupa is considered an important religious site in Sri Lanka.

In 1987 a group of LTTE terrorists attacked this holy ground hacking to death a Buddhist monk and seven civilians who were residing in a close by temple. Learning this news from a Muslim civilian the pilgrims and the monks in Somawathi went into hiding in the jungle and after several days walked to a temple on November 13,  1987. The terrorists came to the Somawathi and found it deserted. They stole the “Chuda Manikya” (the large gemstone placed at the pinnacle of the stupa) and dug a hole about 1½ feet deep into the stupa in search of valuable relics. Then they marched into a Sinhalese village nearby where a man called S. Dissanayake lived. He was the caretaker of the holy site since 1966. The (LTTE) terrorists hacked to death 10 civilians in this village including S. Dissanayake and his four children. On the same day, the leader of this barbaric terror group died in the stupa by mistakenly firing his own weapon. For some mysterious reason, they also couldn’t take the “Chuda Manikya” they stole which was later found by the archaeological department

                           

                          SRIPADAYA 

 

Siri pada is a beautiful mountain located between Ratnapura district(Sabaragamuwa Province) and Nuwara Eliya (Central Province).it also called ‘Samanala Kanda’, ‘ Adam’s peak’. The top of the mountain has a footprint of Lode Buddha.so Siri pada is the most sacred place of Sri Lankan Buddhists. Siri pada mountant can access in 6 different Routes. Hatton Nallathanni Road, Rathnapura Palabaddara, Kuruwita Erathna, Maliboda,Mukkuwaththa,Rajamale.

   

 

Historical value  

According to Sri Lanka’s great chronicle, Mahawamsa, Buddha visited Sri Lanka three times. The last time he traveled from Kelaniya to Sri Pada, and then to Digavaphi thus consisted in the Solosmasthana of Sri Lanka. It is said that Buddha left his footprint on the rock at the peak of the mountain at the invitation of the Deity Saman.

The soles of the Buddha’s feet are said to be flat with all the toes of equal length. On each sole, there are one hundred and eight auspicious marks (mangala­ lakkhana), with the wheel (chakra) as the principal mark at the center while around it are grouped figures of animals, inhabitants of various worlds, and other kinds of symbols.

Buddhists knew that this mysterious footprint had been made by the Buddha long before (as far as the 1st century BC) any other religion was introduced to the country. But in succeeding centuries other faiths, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity were to lay claim to it. Muslims believe the footprint to be that of Adam (hence the name Adam’s Peak); Christians, that of St. Thomas, the disciple Jesus; and Hindus, that of the god Siva. The Tamil name of the rock Civan-oli-pata (the mountain path of Siva’s light) or Svargarohanam

 

Sripada season

The Sri Pada season starts from the full moon of December and ends on the full moon of April. Generally, it takes about five to six hours to climb to the top. During this season many shops pop up on the way to the mountain top offering all sorts of food and refreshments. There are first aid centers manned by volunteers on the way. Most people climb by night to reach the mountain top to watch the “Ira Sevaya”, the sunrise over the sea. But this time can be quite crowded, especially during the weekend and towards the end of the season. It’s not rare were you have to spend 5-10 minutes standing on a single step until the crowd moves on. The top of the mountain is quite windy and chilly.

                          

                                          EMBEKKE

Where is it situated?

Embekke Devalaya is situated in Medapalata Korale of Udunuwara in Kandy District. This is a sheltered place used to rest during long pilgrimage or long journeys in ancient days of Sri Lanka. This Ambalama is said to be built during AD 1341–1357 by the King Bhuwanekabahu.

Wood carvings of Embekke Devalaya

The most noticeable feature of the Embekke Devalaya is the carvings on the wooden pillars. There are various images carved into the sides of these pillars. The specialty of these carvings is each of them is different from one another. When we consider the carvings of the entire Devala complex, there are about 125 series of decorations, 256 festoon type designs, and 64 lotus designs, 30 decorative patterns, and roof designs. Thus, there are altogether 514 unique designs.

Out of these famous wood carvings, one of the most recognizable carvings is the Hansa Puttuwa, or entwined Swans. Others include designs of entwined rope (Lanu Gataya), sneezing face (Kisimbi Muna), festoon work (Liyawala), images of Deities (Deva Ruwa), hawk (Gijulihiniya) along with double-headed Eagles, dancing female forms, a mother breastfeeding child, wrestlers, soldiers fighting on horseback, birds with human figures and many more. One of the most unique carvings features an entwined elephant and bull. Here, covering the bull carving with ones hand reveals the whole elephant, and covering the elephant likewise reveals the bull. It is an amazing example of the artistic expertise of Sri Lankan forefathers.

 

 

Architectural features of the Embekke Devalaya

The Embekke Devalaya provides an insightful display of the architecture adopted in ancient Sri Lanka. This construction consists of three main sections as the sanctum or Garbhaya in which the image of the God Kataragama has been housed, the Digge or Dancing hall) which is representative of the king consort Henakanda Bandara, and where dancing events were held in the times of the kings and also the final section is the Drummers’ Hall or Hewisi Mandapaya, representing the drummer Rangama who is involved with the back story of its construction and where musical events were once held.

Conclusion

Except for the Sanctum, the rest of the Embekke Devalaya is made almost entirely of wood presenting a breathtaking view for the visitors. The most significant place in this Devalaya complex is the Drummer’s hall due to its architectural features adorned with splendid wood carvings on pillars and doorframes. The building is 52 feet long and 25 feet wide and it is raised with the support of 32 wooden pillars. It is also built on a granite base about 34 inches high.

          

                            LANKATILAKA  TEMPLE

The Lankatilaka Raja Maha Vihara (also known as the Lankatilaka Temple or the Blue Temple), is located in Hiyarapitiya in the Udunuwara area of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill capital. It was constructed as a four storey building that stood eighty feet high and sits on an uneven rock bed overlooking the Hantane mountain range. The history of Lankatilaka Vihara dates back to the Gampola era and was constructed during that time under the patronage of King Buwanekabahu IV in 1344 AD

A magnificent construction on an uneven surface.

The many kings of Sri Lanka with their extravagant and complex desires have often defied nature’s barriers to dictate many splendid creations that belie the imagination ofncommonplace folks. The majestic Lankathilaka Raja Maha Viharaya is one such edifice. It is considered an outstanding architectural construction of the Gampola kingdom. Built at the crest of a large rock, it overlooks the Hantane mountain range in the Hiripitiya hamlet in Udunuwara. The beautiful structure is an amalgamation of Sinhala architecture of the Polonnaruwa period and of Dravidian and Indo Chinese styles, which was an obvious outcome after enlisting the services of South Indian architect Sthapathi Rayer. 

The history of the temple dates back to the 14^th century. King Buwanekabahu IV who reigned from 1341 to 1351 CE chose Gampola as his kingdom and commissioned the construction of Lankathilaka. It demonstrates the king’s refined discernment for art and culture and significant contributions to art.

Following the Gedige style of architecture of the Polonnaruwa era, this temple is believed to have consisted of four stories. It has been designed with projecting entrance arches on four sides with elaborate doorways, the main entrance being the most elaborate due to an intricate decoration of figures of celestial and mythical beings. Though the temple seems to have had more levels, what remains today is the ground level structure and an upper storey. Lankathilaka, like many of its counterparts in the Gampola Period is an example of the worship of the Buddha and deities under one roof, a practice of the time.

The main doorway leads to the Image House, from the East with a flight of steps that begins with a simple moonstone. Two Gajasinha balustrades flanked by the sides of the steps leads to an arched doorway. The dragon arch is prominently decorated. The guardian figures on the arch are believed to be similar in character to those at the Tivanka Image House in Polonnaruwa. Elegant architectural design and wall paintings rich in colour, adorn the inner walls and the ceiling of the main Image House. Within the Image House is a magnificent twelve-foot tall Buddha image under a beautiful dragon arch. What is unique about the design of Lankathilaka is that the Image House is surrounded by five devale, with separate entrances, devoted to deities.

Conclusion

The rock inscriptions found in the precincts of the temple is cut into the solid rock. Sections with Sinhala and Tamil inscriptions have been deciphered by archaeologists, which describes the facilities provided to the temple and land gifted by the kings.

                                                MIHINTALE

Where is it situated? 

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Dewanampiyathissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures

  

Historical Significance

  Why is Mihintale referred to as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka?

The literal meaning of Mihintale is “Mahinda’s Hill” – marking the spot where Indian missionary Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa and converted Him in 247 BC. Buddhism was then firmly embraced by the people of Sri Lanka, making Sinhala Buddhists the prominent state religion in the country.

Why Mihintale is Special?

Mihintale is like the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Legend says a holy man named Mahinda met a king named Devanampiyatissa here way back in the 3rd century BC. This meeting convinced the king to become a Buddhist, and soon Buddhism spread throughout the island. Today, Mihintale is a very important place for Buddhist pilgrims, making it a peaceful and spiritual place to visit

Things to See at Mihintale

• Mihintale Stupa: This big white stupa is the most important building here. It’s said to be built where Mahinda met the king.
• Kantaka Cetiya: This stupa has amazing carvings of elephants. It remembers the story of a special elephant sent by Mahinda to King Devanampiyatissa.
• Kaludiya Pokuna: This is an old bathing pond with beautiful carvings. Monks used it to wash up and meditate.
• Mahinda Stupa: This smaller stupa is dedicated to Mahinda himself, the holy man who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
• Caves: Explore the caves where monks used to live and see how simple their life was

Conclusion

Mihintale is more than just old ruins. It’s a place filled with history, religion, and stunning beauty. Follow these tips, explore Mihintale, and experience this special place in Sri Lanka for yourself!